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Lot Essay
It is exceedingly rare to find a watch signed by François Czapek's firm Czapek & Cie., active only during a relatively short period of time.
On 1 May 1839 Franciszek or François Czapek and Antoni or Antoine Patek, both Polish emigrants, established their watch manufacture in Geneva. The small company Patek, Czapek & Co. employed half a dozen of workmen and had a yearly output of around 200 high quality watches.
In 1845 Czapek terminated his cooperation with Patek and set up its own company Czapek & Cie. in 1851, hence entering in direct competition with his former associate Patek & Cie. Czapek specialised in commemorative and jubilee watches, watches with engraved coat-of-arms, portraits or religious subjects. He worked as watchmaker for Napoleon III, the French Emperor from 1852 to 1870.
In 1869, Czapek & Cie. was dissolved for unknown reasons.
On 1 May 1839 Franciszek or François Czapek and Antoni or Antoine Patek, both Polish emigrants, established their watch manufacture in Geneva. The small company Patek, Czapek & Co. employed half a dozen of workmen and had a yearly output of around 200 high quality watches.
In 1845 Czapek terminated his cooperation with Patek and set up its own company Czapek & Cie. in 1851, hence entering in direct competition with his former associate Patek & Cie. Czapek specialised in commemorative and jubilee watches, watches with engraved coat-of-arms, portraits or religious subjects. He worked as watchmaker for Napoleon III, the French Emperor from 1852 to 1870.
In 1869, Czapek & Cie. was dissolved for unknown reasons.